a prodigious amount

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a prodigious amount" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a very large quantity of something, often in a context that emphasizes the impressiveness of that quantity. Example: "The scientist collected a prodigious amount of data during the experiment, which would take years to analyze."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

40 human-written examples

At Graham's and elsewhere, Poe wrote a prodigious amount of rather extraordinary literary criticism.

The New Yorker

They help communities survive, but produce a prodigious amount of noxious waste.

The Economist

I learned a prodigious amount by sitting next to him, watching closely, saying little.

The New York Times - Arts

A prodigious amount of ordnance has already been deployed in Mosul.

The New Yorker

To be sure, the lawn consumed a prodigious amount of psychic energy and agricultural expertise well before it opened.

The New York Times - Arts

"A prodigious amount of material," said Mr. Price, who is at about 3,000 documents and searching for more.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

18 human-written examples

(O'Hara was hit by a car on Fire Island four years ago, when he was forty. Ashbery still misses him a great deal. "It seemed so improbable," he says. "He always used to say, 'Everybody worries about dying it's not going to happen! You're not going to die!' ") He has always been a drinker but now he drinks a truly prodigious amount, even by art-world standards.

The New Yorker

Such a prodigious investment of time and talent indicates an equally prodigious amount of ambition, but surely there must be periods of self-doubt.

The New York Times - Books

"She did an absolutely prodigious amount of work," said her admiring thesis adviser, Prof. Jack Rakove, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of "Original Meanings: Politics and Ideas in the Making of the Constitution," who taught a course on Thomas Jefferson that Ms. Clinton took last year.

The New York Times

It would have to devour around 45 grams of treated seed before it was likely to die of poisoning a prodigious amount even for such a greedy bird.Which goes to show two things.

The Economist

It is, however, technically challenging to perform an anti-capping experiment in the presence of Lpd because of the prodigious amount of actin bundling that occurs in the presence of both VASP and Lpd.

eLife

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "a prodigious amount" to describe something impressively large, especially when you want to convey admiration or awe at the scale or quantity.

Common error

While versatile, "a prodigious amount" is more formal. In very casual contexts, consider simpler alternatives like "a lot" or "tons" to avoid sounding overly academic.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a prodigious amount" functions as a quantifier, modifying a noun to indicate a very large quantity. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and widespread usage.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

77%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Wiki

2%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a prodigious amount" is a grammatically sound and frequently used way to describe a large quantity. As Ludwig AI indicates, it's versatile, appearing in diverse sources like news, encyclopedias, and scientific articles. While generally appropriate for neutral to formal contexts, simpler alternatives may be preferred for informal settings. Remember to use it when you want to emphasize not just the size, but also the impressive nature, of a quantity, evoking a sense of wonder or admiration.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a staggering amount

Emphasizes the surprising or overwhelming nature of the quantity.

a substantial amount

Highlights the significance or importance of the quantity.

a considerable amount

Suggests that the quantity is large enough to be worthy of attention.

a significant amount

Focuses on the impact or effect of the quantity.

a tremendous amount

Implies that the quantity is impressively large.

an enormous quantity

Indicates a very large, almost immeasurable amount.

a vast quantity

Stresses the immense scope or extent of the quantity.

a great deal

Offers a more general and less formal way to describe a large quantity.

a large quantity

Provides a straightforward and neutral way to express a large amount.

a generous amount

Suggests that the quantity is more than sufficient or expected.

FAQs

How can I use "a prodigious amount" in a sentence?

You can use "a prodigious amount" to describe anything that exists in large quantities. For example, "The research required a prodigious amount of time" or "The factory produces a prodigious amount of waste".

What can I say instead of "a prodigious amount"?

You can use alternatives like "a staggering amount", "a considerable amount", or "a significant amount" depending on the context.

Is "prodigious amount" formal or informal?

The term "prodigious amount" leans towards the formal side. While understandable in most contexts, opting for phrases like "a lot of" or "tons of" might better suit informal settings.

What's the difference between "a large amount" and "a prodigious amount"?

While both refer to quantity, "a prodigious amount" implies something remarkably or impressively large. "A large amount" is more neutral, while "a prodigious amount" conveys a sense of wonder or admiration.